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The Airports Authority of India (AAI), in partnership with Japan-based Terra Charge, will install electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at four additional international airports. The initiative aims to promote green transportation options for passengers, particularly in the city-side areas of airports.
This infrastructure will enable EV users to conveniently charge their vehicles while parked at the airports, complementing the growing network of around 25,000 EV charging stations across India.
Terra Charge’s Managing Director, Go Suzuki, described the collaboration as part of the company’s mission to enhance public access to efficient EV charging solutions. “This partnership with AAI aligns with our goal of working with public entities to support India’s EV charging infrastructure,” Suzuki told businessline.
Suzuki also highlighted the broader benefits of the initiative, including its potential to boost airport amenities, attract foot traffic, and encourage further collaborations between private and public entities to advance EV adoption and create employment opportunities.
Last year, Terra Charge launched a 75-square-meter EV charging hub at AAI’s Raja Bhoj International Airport in Bhopal. The facility includes both slow and fast chargers to cater to different needs, providing accessible and convenient charging for EV owners.
The trend of installing EV charging infrastructure at airports is gaining traction across India. Both public and private stakeholders are actively working on such projects, with several in the pipeline. To accelerate the adoption of EVs at airports, the government is expected to roll out subsidies under the PM E-Drive scheme, which has allocated ?2,000 crore for setting up public EV charging stations over the next two years.
In addition to passenger-focused facilities, the initiative also includes plans to electrify the ground support equipment (GSE) fleet at airports. Electrified GSE, such as aircraft tugs, refuellers, and passenger and cargo transport vehicles, will further reduce the carbon footprint of airport operations.
Despite these advancements, industry sources note challenges, including the high upfront costs and supply-side constraints in procuring EV charging equipment. However, directives have already been issued to several airports to implement these changes, with visible progress at select locations.
The government’s push for EV adoption and infrastructure development, combined with efforts from players like Terra Charge and AAI, is set to accelerate India’s transition to sustainable transportation solutions at key transit hubs. |
